Special Releases 2007
Following the success of the Rare Malts series which ran from 1995 to 2005, the interest in sampling and collecting rare whiskies, often from closed distilleries was clearly evident. At the same time there was also a continuing demand for unusual, distinctive, often older, unrepeatable cask strength bottlings, usually of the Classic Malts series. Such bottlings allowed collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to enjoy and experience remaining older stock, and/or unusual expressions of a distillery’s character – a virtual treasure trove of priceless .jpg)
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To satisfy this demand the Special Releases were born. The first, a very small release of Talisker 28 year old, was bottled at 43.3% in 2001 and priced at £495 – a remaining bottle recently sold at a specialist auction for £1,400! To universal acclaim a Port Ellen 22 year old and a Talisker 25 year old quickly followed and as quickly sold out.
Excitement intensified and in 2003 saw a further nine releases, ranging from £40 to £950, the latter being an exquisite and quite irreplaceable 50 year old Glenury Royal. Talisker and Port Ellen featured again as did Brora and Lagavulin. This fine selection was also joined by a 32 year old Glen Elgin, a 29 year old Cragganmore and a 25 year old Glen Ord.
2004 hailed the release of a 30 year old Linlithgow and a 32 year old Mortlach, while 2005 was the first year for 28 year old’s from both Convalmore and Brechin. Glenury also made another appearance, this time as a ‘seemingly youthful and mellower’ 36 year old.
A total of fifty-nine Special Releases have been announced so far and bottlings will continue until stocks are exhausted, with numbers usually limited to between 100 and 6,000 of each expression.
The Special Releases for 2007 are ten in number, but only a tiny quantity of each are available, so there will never be sufficient to meet demand, in fact the Lagavulin 21 year old, of which there were 6,642 bottles has already sold out in some markets! It is being hailed as one of the most coveted and talked-about releases for years.
The 2007 selection ranges from £33 - £500 per bottle, from 8 year old to 36 year old and from as few as 1,926 bottles per release. According to Dr Nick Morgan, Brand Director for Diageo’s Malt Whiskies, “these are fantastic whiskies to drink and enjoy”.
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Glenkinchie 20 year old
58.4% abv, 5,124 bottles, £70 RRP
From 10 years in American Oak refill casks then 10 years in former Brandy casks.
An intriguing, unusual and elegant Glenkinchie, extra-matured for ten years in brandy casks, giving a greater depth and soft roundness without overwhelming the appetising warmth. Developed but never used as part of the Distillers Edition range of the Classic Malts.
A big nose for a lowlander, the brandy is evident resulting in a fruity and spicy nose. Toffee and syrupy support the fruit and spice on the palate and with the addition of water, peaches and vanilla emerge.
Talisker 25 year old
58.1% abv, 6,894 bottles, £120 RRP
From American Oak and European Oak refill casks.
Simply stunning, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, great depth and a smoky, earthy richness. An excellent, mellow yet vigorous example of Talisker.
A big fruity sweet, vanilla nose and a full sweet and briny palate. Salty, sherried and beechwood.
Talisker 30 year old
50.7% abv, 2,958 bottles, £180
RRP From American Oak and European Oak refill casks.
A fascinating, subtle, multi-faceted malt of great depth that’s extraordinarily complex. Plenty of Talisker character; uncommon depth and sophistication.
A light subtle nose brought alive by a drop of water, bring the sea to life. Briny and fruity on the palate yet remarkably contained and smooth.
Brora 30 year old
55.7% abv, 2,958 bottles, £190 RRP
From American Oak and European Oak refill casks.
Brora at its best: deep. Sweet and rich. A truly great whisky at cask strength or with the addition of a little water.
Typically damp and pungent nose and salty, fishy palate. Very smooth and creamy and handle the addition of water well. Well balanced with lots going on from start to its long finish.
Caol Ila 8 year old
Distilled 1998, 64.9% abv, 9,690 bottles, £33 RRP
From 1st fill Bourbon Oak casks.
If guessing this whisky in a blind tasting you are likely to be way off mark. It soft sweet aroma and flavour are as a result of this being an unpeated malt. Lively and fresh it makes a fine aperitif.
An absolutely beautiful nose. Fresh peaches, pineapple and barley sugar. All this carries though onto the palate, crisp, soft and juicy! No need to add water although it does not loose too much intensity even then. One for even non-whisky drinkers to try.
Glenury Royal 36 year old
Distilled 1970, 57.9% abv, 1,926 bottles, £500 RRP
From American Oak refill casks.
Surprisingly fresh for its age and a classic example of a majestic, mature whisky with rare flavours which are more complex and rewarding than the aroma. Easily drinkable at cask strength.
Like an old wooden box of candies fruits the nose is subtle and enticing. For a 36 year old whisky there is no evidence of harsh wood from the cask, rather the palate offers a floral spicy and surprisingly slightly salty mix. Water softens and brings out orange peel.
Lagavulin 12 year old
56.4% abv, £42 RRP
From American Oak refill casks.
A huge rich Lagavulin that’s full of confidence. Surprisingly fresh and appetising balance of sweetness, salt, smoke and oilskins..jpg)
A typically peated maritime nose, robust and very salty yet balanced with malt and tropical fruits and coconut. A clean sweet palate with waves of peat smoke. Mellows considerably with water, developing fishy, salted peanut attributes
Lagavulin 21 year old
Distilled 1985, 56.5% abv, 6,642 bottles, £110 RRP
From first fill Spanish Sherry European Oak casks.
Complexity personified. A truly stunning whisky, forthright and extremely assured. This is as good a Lagavulin as you’ve ever tasted!
A huge powerful maritime nose with treacle toffee, crème brulee, syrup and dried figs. The mouthfeel is thick, peaty, tary and briny. Complex, assertive, structured and firm.
Rosebank 25 year old
Distilled 1981, 61.4% abv, 4,710 bottles, £130 RRP
From American Oak refill casks.
Bigger on the palate then you might expect, yet delicate and subtle in aroma and taste, with all the characteristic Rosebank spiciness. A ripe and mellow Rosebank, well worth trying.
A fresh, nutty and inviting nose. Baked apple and blackberry pie. A lovely sweet dram with a spicy doughy texture on the palate. Very drinkable.
Port Ellen 28 year old
Distilled 1979, 53.8% abv, 5,274 bottles, £140 RRP
From American Oak refill casks.
A fascinating, bold Port Ellen, more so than first meets the nose. Classic character, rounded off by wood. Complex and compelling yet challenging, it rewards repeated tasting, giving more each time.
An easy going sweet tar and shellfish nose hides an intensely sweet briny, oily palate. The addition of a little water bringing out a damp leathery and buttery character. Somewhat mellower that one would expect from a Port Ellen.
